Zambia v Ivory Coast.

The African Cup of Nations concludes tonight in Libreville for the final between Zambia and Ivory Coast.

Many people expected Ivory Coast to make it to the final and they have done just. Can the elephants win the whole tournament and claim their first African Cup of Nations since 1992 or can Zambia claim their first win in their first final appearance. Ivory Coast have not conceded a goal all tournament so breaking down the Ivorian back line will be tough for the Zambians however the likes of Emmanuel Mayuka and Chris Katongo will be up to the task. Zambia defied the odds to reach the final first shocking the tournament by beating the much fancied Senegal 2-1 in their opening game and winning group b following some more positive results. They then shocked again, Emmanuel Mayuka grabbing a winner 10 minutes from the end to defeat one of the favorites, Ghana.

It shall be great game that may go right to the wire, but there is no question who the favorites are it's all about Zambia stepping up to the mark and maybe they can steal the victory with all the pressure on the Ivory Coast.

Ghana v Tunisia

The much fancied Ghana take on Tunisia in Franceville in the last quarter final of the day.

Ghana qualified as expected in first place in group a brushing off ,Mali and Guinea to claim top spot and the Ghanians haven't hit full gear yet so it expected for them to come all guns blazing. The Tunisians on the other hand eased past their north African rivals, Morocco to seal a 2nd place finish in group c and will be reliant on M'Sakni to produce similar magic that allowed him to score the 2 against Morocco in Tunisia's opening match.
I expect the Ghanians to take the victory in this game although the Tunisia have performed decently so far, they could push the Ghanians to penalties. However it is certain it will be nothing short of a thriller.

Equatorial Guinea v Ivory Coast

Equatorial Guinea play their first African cup of nations quarter final after qualfying in 2nd place in group A. 

 Not many expected Equatorial Guinea to make the quarter finals however good heart and character seen them qualify with a game to spare, beating Libya and Senegal in order to qualify. The African minnows should give the Ivory Coast a good game as it certain the crowd will be behind them all the way. They have also proved to be not a bad side hence the reason they qualfied for the quarters, with the likes of Randy and Juvenal being key players in the Equatorial Guinea side. We cannot of course rule out the Ivory Coast from this tie as they did qualify for the quarters with a 100% record however they haven't really shown the quality expected from their top players who play in European league's.

The hosts will be expected to say their goodbye's in the game after it is felt the supreme talent of the Ivory Coast team will prove to be too strong for a spirted, Equatorial Guinea side.

Zambia v Sudan

Sudan play their first quater final in the African Cup of Nations since they won the tournament in 1970. 

Sudan qualified for the quarter finals following their first win in African Cup of Nations since 1970 with a 2-1 win over Burkina Faso on Monday night. Also relying on a 2-0 win for Ivory Coast over Angola to go through on goal difference. Meanwhile, Zambia sealed their quarter final place and top spot in group A with a 1-0 win over co-hosts Equatorial Guinea, Chris Katongo grabbing the only goal of the game. Zambia will be however competing in their second quater finals in the tournament in a row after qualfying in 2010 in Angola. Although this time they will hopeful to get to the Semi final.


The game should be an open affair however it seems like it will go the way of Zambia as Sudan have failed to show any real quality only beating a poor Burkina Faso side 2-1. Zambia have shown real quality since the opening game with players like Chris Katongo and Emmanuel Mayuka making a real impact on the tournament.

Angola v Burkina Faso.

After hosting the 2010 African Cup of Nations, Angola can focus on being successful in a tournament on foreign soil.

With a fair few players, playing the top european league's such as Manucho, much recognisable from his days at Manchester United. It would be fair to put Angola as possible outsiders for the tournament. Angola do have a decent frontline with Flavio and Djamal being the most notable, playing for Lierse and Porto respectively.

Burkina Faso on the other hand have failed to win a game on foreign soil in the African Cup of Nations. After their only victories came when hosting the comeptition in 1998. The player to watch for Burkina Faso is Alain Traore, who play's for Auxerre as a midfielder. The young 23 year old midfielder, boasts bags of potential and has being a key part of the Auxerre midfield. Burkina Faso also have player on English shores with Betrand Traore, the younger brother of Alain. However he is unknown as he plays in the Chelsea acadmey after being signed from Auxerre.

My Prediction: Angola 2-2 Burkina Faso

Ivory Coast v Sudan.

Ivory Coast go into the African Cup of Nations as favourites, the question is can they handle the pressure?

With the likes of Egypt, Cameroon and Nigeria, who share 15 titles between them, absent. The spotlight turns to the the elephants, who's sqaud consists of many of the top players in Europe such as Didier Drogba and the Toure brothers it is difficult to say any other outcome in the tie with Sudan other than the Ivory Coast taking an enthatic victory. However the Ivory Coast have become increasingly worse since being 'bigged up' after making it the final in 2006, the Ivory Coast have managed to finish in the Semi's in 2008 and the quarter finals in 2010. Surely not only the group stages for a side that boast such tremendous talent.

However on the side of the Sudanese, much of its sqaud it unrecogniseable to the average football fan. With all of their players competing in the Sudanese league. The last time Sudan made the tournament in 2008 they failed to register a goal conceding 11 goals in the 3 group games they played.

My Prediction: Ivory Coast 2-0 Sudan. 

 

Senegal 1-2 Zambia

Two goals in the first half from Zambia stun Senegal. 

Zambia took just eleven minutes to stun the Senegalse after Mayuka headed it past Condoul off the freekick and it was cue the African celebration from the Zambian players. Zambia then doubled their lead on 20 minutes when Kalaba beat the offside trap to cooly slot past the onrushing, Condoul.

Senegal then had a lifeline when N'Doye latched on the end of a N'daw's cross to fire past the Zambian keeper, Mweene. However this turned out to be merely a consiltation after Senegal wasted their chances. Most notably when Demba Ba hit the bar with a header following a cross from fellow Newcastle teammate, Papiss Cisse.

Equatorial Guinea 1-0 Libya

A solitary goal from Balboa seals the host first victory in a African Cup of Nations tournament.

The Libyans started the brightest opening the first ten minutes as a dominant side. The host came to life after 13 minutes, when Randy burst down the left however his cross sailed way over his target. They did conjure up an chance when Balboa and Balado linked up to force a parry by Goalkeeper, Abod. There was celebration from the Equatorial Guinea fans, when thought they had the lead on 16 minutes, when a Juvenal effort deflected off to post to come back to Bolado who fired it towards goal, Abod let it slip under his legs,but  much to his relief it was flagged offside due to Fidjeu stickting out a foot. They nearly caused Libya to panic again after 22 minutes when a, Randy cross off a Equatorial Guinea break was nearly deflected into the net by a Libyan defender however Abod made the save.
The Libyans had their first effort on goal after 23 minutes when Osman linked up with Mahamat however the effort from Mahamat was comfortably saved by Danilo. Equatorial Guinea then came close off a corner after 25 minutes when Kamisoko met a Juvenal cross with a bullet header much to the reilef of the Libyans, the ball hit the side netting. Libya then managed waste 2 decent oppourtuties when on 29 minutes Elkhatroush linked up with Osman however Osman's effort went high over the bar. They then wasted a chance again on 31 minutes when Osman managed get a cross into Zuway, who's resulting header when over Danilo's crossbar.
Equatorial Guinea then scared the Libyans again when Balboa struck a low shot wide of Abod post.The scores then stayed 0-0 until half time.

Equatorial Guinea had the first chance of the second half on 52 minutes when Fidjeu latched on to a cross into the box with a speculative volley however the strike went well wide of the goal. It was then turn for Libya to be speculative when Walid skipped inside and was brought down however the ball came out to the substitute, Ihab who's half volley was easily saved by Danilo. Equatorial Guinea then again came close to take the lead when they were awarded a freekick after Osman brought down Balboa. Doe stepped up to fire the 35 yard freekick hurling towards goal but Abod made a decent save to his left, palming it away.
Equatorial Guinea's star man, Bopido who play's for Deportivo, came on after 75 minutes and his first action of the game was forcing Abod into a comfortable save with a long range shot. Abod then showed some calamity goalkeeping when Randy overhit his cross but Abod failed to bring the ball in merely parrying it away on his backstick.
Libya then wasted a golden oppourtunity on 83 minutes when Jamal Mohamed picked a good pass to Zuway who linked up with Ibad but Zuway effort was screwed wide for 8 yards. On 86 minutes the whole of Equatorial Guinea were on their feet, when Balboa beat offisde trap to fire the ball high past the onrushing Abod to make it 1-0 to the hosts. Equatorial Guinea then held on to take their first victory in African Cup of Nations history.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJh6pPlpNe8
The goal.

Senegal v Zambia

One of the favourites for the trophy, Senegal take on Zambia in Bata tomorrow night.

Nicknamed, Teranga Lions, Senegal are much fancied to win to this African Cup of Nations with their huge amount of talent from the European Leagues. It come at a huge suprise when they failed to qualify for Angola 2010. However, Zambia cannot be ruled out as they have become a regular fixture at the African Cup of Nations qualifying for 11 of the last 12 tournaments. It will be much expected for Senegal to take this victory in this game and with their squad it is hard to look any other way.

Senegal are filled with tonnes of talent and are probably the closest you'll come to 'household' names in the African Cup of Nations. With the likes of Newcastle's, Demba Ba and new signing Papiss Demba Cisse leading the attack they are force to be dealt with. Although the defence is also strong with Soulemayne Diawara of Marsielle being a key part of it.
The Captain of the side is Mamadou N'iang, who is most famous for playing Marsielle, however he now plys his trade in Qatar playing for Al-Saad. Another recognisable face from the Premier League is Latics midfielder, Mohamed Diame, who has being influential in the Wigan midfield. On the other hand, Zambia have only player currently playing in Europe, Emmanuel Mayuka who plays for Young boys of the Swiss league. However the only player to have embraced the Premier League is forward, Collins Mbesuma, who played for Portsmouth between 2005-07.

Prediction: Senegal 3-1 Zambia 

Equatorial Guinea vs Libya

The lowest ranked host of the ACN play in the opening game against Libya.

The African Cup of Nations kicks off on Saturday night as the lowest ranked side in the competition, Eqautorial Guinea take on Libya in Bata. The hosts, ranked 151st in the Fifa rankings, play in their first international tournament in their history and they will hope to defeat a Libyan side that defied odds to qualify for the tournament following the drama of their Civil War in 2011. It would safe to put your money on the away side due to their superior experience however the hosts could use their team spirit in order to win the fixture.

Most of the Equatorial Guinea side play in Spain, however will be unrecognisable as they play in lower leagues in Spain. Meanwhile Libya have only one player who plays in the European League's Djamal Mahamat who plays in the midfield of Portugese club, Sc  Braga.

My Prediction: Equatorial Guinea 2-1 Libya